Lock switch



Aug. 30, 1932. slNNER 1,875,168

LOCK SWITCH Filed June 22, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Insulaa'lbn I N VEN TOR.

M LM

w,wwmww 37 A TTORNEYS Aug. 30, 1932. E. SINNER 7 9 5 L OOOOOOO CH Filed June 22. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 30, 1932 EMIL SINNER, MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO CLUM MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CCR-PORATION OF WISCONSIN LOCK SWITCH Application filed June 22, 1928. Serial No. 287,442.

This invention relates to improvements in lock switches. r

Notwithstanding the great improvement in locks with which motor vehicles are 5 equipped, thefts have increased at an alarming rate becauseof the fact that even the best lock known to science is of no avail if the operator of the motorvehicle equipped with such locks leaves the key inthe look when 30 the car is unattended. It is the forgetfulness of automobile operators rather than any deficiency in the strength or efi'ectiveness of locks which is responsible for a very large proportion of thefts.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a solution for this situation by means of a lock constructionwhich makes practically impossible for the automobile operator to leave the key in the lock unintentionally.- The lock switch to which this invention relates is applied in such a way as to control the ignition of the motor vehicle and it is the purpose of the invention to provide a mechanism so designed that so long as the key remains in the lock the switch cannot be shut off to stop the engine with which the motor vehicle is equipped. By making the complete removal of-the key a prerequisite to turning ofi" the ignition, I insure that the key will be called to the attention of the operator so that itcannot accidentally be left available to unauthorized persons.

Recognizing that it might be undesirable to require the operator to remove the key at the moment of stopping themotor and in further recognition of the fact that the oWn-. er will probably find it more convenient to put the key away on the same occasion upon which he takes the key from his pocket for unlocking the ignition, I have the further object for this invention of providing a construetion in which the adjustment of the ignition switch to its off position and the consequent locking of the switch is accomplished by adjustment of the lock mechanism independently of the key, whereby the key may be removed at any time subsequent to its initial use for unlocking or closing the switch and the lock will operate automatically when the switch is turned ofi. s,

It is my further object to provide a novel and improved anchorage for the ends of a theft-proof sheath for a conductor which leads from the lock and switch mechanism of this invention to the distributor or other ignition mechanism controlled by the switch, the switch being preferably of such a type that the opening of the switch will'close a circuit to ground so that the ignition mechanism will be short-circuited irrespective of any attempted manipulation of the lock or switch.

It is also my purpose to ensure the inevitable operation of the lock to secure the switch in its open position. Contrary to usual practice, I provide a spring tending to open the switch and bring the lock plug to seltlocking position. The withdrawal of the key is a prerequisite to the initiation of this automatic spring actuated movement which, when once initiated is notfcontrollable by the operator, so that irrespective of the sequence. of switch operation and lock engagement, the ultimate engagement of'the lock will be inevitable.

In the drawings- Figure l is a side elevation of a lock switch embodying this invention and provided with a sheathed conductor leading to the distributor; V

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the lock switch with the casing broken away to a central section to expose the interior mechanismin side elevation from the viewpoint of Figure 1; s

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 with the conductor and'sheath removed; 1

Figure 6 is a view taken on the line 6 of Fig. 2 showing the cylinder and tumblers in their locked position with, the switch oil;

, Figure? is a view similar to Fig. 6 but cut away to the plane of one of the tumblers, showing the position of the lock cylinder or plug and tumblers when the ignition switch mechanism is open but the key is in place and the tumblers retracted to permit rotation of the cylinder and switch mechanism toward the switch closing position;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the cylinder and tumblers in the position which they occupy when the switch is closed 'but the key remains'in the lock whereby the switch is locked in its closed position;

Figure 9 illustrates the cylinder and tumblers in the respective positions which they occupywhen the ignition switch is still closed i but the key has been removed to. unlock the cylinder and move a contact of the switch for rotation in a switch opening direction;

Figure lO'is a detail taken through the lock casing in the section indicated at 10-10 in Figure i; t I

)Figure 11 is-a detail view in section of the means :whereby the conductor andsheath are.

panel 16 support the mechanism which is v housed in shell 17 inthe desired relation to the panel, through which the lock casing 18 projects at. 19 to. an eXtent'determi-ned by i: 1 'shoulder20 whichabutsthe inside of 'shell' 17,;as shown in Fig.2; 7

i The lock may be of the plate or disktumbler type wherein a rotatable cylinder or plug 25 carries flattumblers 26 of the same length as the transverse diameter of the plug and mounted for reciprocation transversely of the plug whereby each tumbler may be projected laterally beyond theperiphery of the plug by means of the compression springs 27 or'may be registered with the plug by means of a the: key reaches 'F gure suitablekey 28 whic'h passes centrally through the variously disposed slots 29 of the several plugs and is so notched in its bit portion as i to be adapted to bring the tumblerssimultaneouslyinto registry with theiplug when otherwise; g

6 shows plug 25 adjusted to the position in which the ignition switch is open.

t In this positi'o'nthe tumblers 26 register with 'channel inthe lockcasing 18 and-are pro- .jected thereinby springs such as-that shown at 27 in Figure 7-, whereby the plug 25 is nonrotatable and the ignition switch, hereinafter ,to be described, cannot be closed. 'When'the key is inserted, however, to the position shown in Figure 7, its bit will cause the several tum blers 26 to become aligned with the plug in a well-known manner, whereupon" the plug maybe rotated from the positionlin which i it appears in Figures 6 and 7 toward-the'po sition in which 'it is shown inFigures 8 and 9; .Asthe key movesi'nfand out of the plug, its serrated bit may-cause the tumblers 26 its final position and not to be projected either at one side of the plug 25 or at the other, wherefore a channel 31 is' thereof, as shown at 35. This bevel is found adj acent the guideways for the locktumblers remote from the endof the tumblers which,

in a normal lock of this type, perform the locking function and enter-channel 3,0. It is particularly to be observed that when the tumblers are retracted by the insertion of the key 28 to permit the rotation of the lock plug, as shown in Figure 7 they do. not project be yond. the extended periphery of the plug. But thebeveled face 35 exposes at 36 a portion of the'side margin of each of the several tumblers in their retracted positions; 7

,The lock casing. is also unusual in that it is provided at 37 with a box-like housing, clearly shown in Figures 2, 4, and 10', Within this housingthe spring 1138'is' sea-ted to press upon the dog 39 .whichloperates int-he,

slot O whichaffords communication between the cylindrical'opening in which plug '25 is rotatable and the :hollow interior of housing 37 wherein spring 738 is disposed. 7

r The dog 39 coinpris'esiafiat' plate of gun ciefntlength so that it is adapted to engage all or substantially all of the tumblers 26 carried b'y the lock plug whenever the lock plug is rotated to the position shown in Figure-8 wherein the side marginal portions 36 ofthejtum'blers, 26 have uncovered dog 39,

a centripetal direction to lodge "behind the thereby allowing the dog to be projected in V tumblers at the conclusion of their 'counter- I i clockwise rotation'w ith the plug trom the position'shown in Figure 7. f g j a i In this position oftheparts, .it wil lbe oo vious thatthe tumblers register at one side of the lock'casingwithfchannel 45 and at the other sidelofthe lock casing with an arcuate' recess 46 which is of less radial depth-than the several channels 530, 31,-and 45 andwhich communicates with channel 30." -Channel4l5,

like channel 31 is adapted simply to'give' clearance forthe reciprocal movement of the I tumblers during the insertion 'or retraction oi the key. The recess'46, however, is of such depth as to receive a-suliicientleng'th of tumbler to retract into the lock plug the exposed margins 36 ofieach for the several It will be obvious, therefore, thatifthe key is withdrawn from the plug while the parts are'in the positionindi ated in Figure 8,

the-tumblers will have-adequate clearance for their reciprocal movement and,upon the full withdrawal ofthe key, will be forced by their respective springs 27 into engagement with the outer peripheral wall surface 47 of the recess 46. In thisposition they are not as fully projected as when they register with channel 30. The additional movement provided by theincreased radial depth of channel .30 provides a shoulder between channel 30 andrecess 46 against which the tumblers engage to lock the plug, as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 9 shows the position which the tumblers assume when the key is withdrawn from the plug in the switch closing position of the latter. It will be observed that the margins 36 of the tumblers no longer project beyond the beveled side wall of the plug, whereforethe dog 39 1'ests upon such wall which is adapted to act as'a cam to move the dog radially when the plug is rotated clockwise toward its locked position. There is now nothing to restrain such movement of the plug except an additional detent device hereinafter to be described and the use of which is optional in that it. merely enables the semi-automatic operation of the switch and lock. mechanism. In any event, it will be observed that neither thetumblers nor the dog 39 oppose plug rotation in a clockswitch opening and switch closing positions,

being retracted from looking position in the first instance by the insertion of the key and in the second instance by springs 27 upon withdrawal of the key.

In order to permitthe key to be withdrawn without opening the ignition switch or 0pcrating the lock, while rendering the lock andswitch self-acting in a rotating direction upon the mere release of the detent by the operator, T have provided the following mechanism The lock plug is not only rotatable within the lock casing but is also axially reciprocable therein. The various channels 30, 31, and 45, and the recesses 46 which receive the tumblers are all of them axially elongated sufficiently to permit of the desired range of axial cylinder movement. The outer end portion of plug25 is reduced slightly in diameter and there is a correspohding reduction in the diameter of the bore in which the plug operates whereby complementary shoulders are formed at 50 (Figs. 2 and 10) whereby to limit the outward axial reciprocation of the plug. Similarly the interior end of the plug is reduced in diameter, as shown at 51,

to provide a shoulder at 52 which seats against a cup-shaped member 53 inserted into shell 17 in such a manner that the bottom of the cup comprises a partition 54 apertured to receive the reduced extremity 51 of the plug.

The reduced extremity 51 of plug 25 is provided at 55 with a radially projecting lug which is spaced at 56 from shoulder 52. The periphery of the aperture through which the reduced portion 51 of the plug projects is provided at 57 with a notch of such dimensions as to be adapted to receive the lug 55 when the lug is in such notch, as shown in Figure 10. The plug and switch mechanism hereinafter to be described are keyed against rotative movement but are free to move axially. It will be observed that if the plug is pushed axially to the right as viewed in Figure 10 the partition 54 will ultimately register with the space 56 between lug 55 and shoulder 52 whereupon lug 55 will be wholly removed from engagement with such partition and the plug and related parts will be free for rotation.

Within the cup-shaped member 58 is a tension spring 60 which is attached at one end to a hook 61 struck from the wall of the cup -member. At its other end, spring (30 is connected to an anchorage device (32 which is somewhat similar in form to a split washer with the addition of a plate which supports the apertured ear 63 to which the spring attaches and a finger 64 which enters a notch at 65 in a di-electric switch actuator 66 which may comprise a piece of libre mounted on the 1 squared end portion 6'? of the lock plug to rotate therewith and held in place by the anchorage device 62 which is engaged in a groove at 64 in the end of the plug.

While the dielectric switch actuator 66 has primarily to do with the switch mechanism, hereinafter to be described, nevertheless it serves as a means for insuring the transmission of motion between tension spring 60 and the lock plug and is, therefore, here described.

The tension spring 60 is not disposed in a transverse plane normal to the axis of the device, but is inclined from such a plane so that it not only tends to rotate the lock plug and associated parts but also to move them axially to the left as viewed in Figures 2 and 10. The tension of spring 60 as applied to the rotation of the plug is such as to tend to oscillate the plug to its switch opening position, as shown in Figure 5. This position of the parts is defined by a stop lug 68 struck up from the face of partition member 54 in the path of movement of lug 55 on the lock plug, as best shown in Figure 3. When the key is inserted to align the tumblers with the plug, as shown in Figure 7 the plug may be rotated to its Figure 8 position, whereupon lug 55 will encounter the stop lug 58 which is likewise struck up from partition 54 and may conveniently be formed by the material removed'from the notch 57. I a

In'this position of the parts it will be found that lug 55 registers withnotch 57 and there is a tendency tor'the tension spring 60 to move the plug and related parts axially toca-use the lug'to enter notch 57. If the spring does not-effect this axial adjustment of the lock plug at the moment of registry,

the desired result will be obtained nevertheless, upon withdrawal of the key, since there is considerable'friction between the serrated bit of the key and the tumblers which are ,reciprocated through engagement with said bit durin the progressive withdrawal of the key from the plug. The ultimate result therefore, at the time the key is withdrawn to leave the parts as shownin Figure 9, involves an axial position of the lock plug and related parts corresponding to the disclosure in Figures 2 and 10.

It is to be noted that insofaras the lock tumblers are concernedthe plug and related parts are now free to rotate to their Figure 6 posit on under the tens] on of spring 60.

ire

tumblers have been forced by their compres sion springs 27 out of engagement with the stop dog 39. The plug cannot, respond, however,to the urge of tension spring 60 because of the splined engagement'ot lug in notch 57 which, notwithstanding the withdrawal of the key, will'continue to hold plug in such a position that the ignition 7 it convenientlypossible for the operator of the vehicle to replace his key ln his pocket 1 v to from .counter-clockwise 1 switch opening positionso long as'the key reswitchmechanism is closed to completean' electrical circuit. This arrangement makes immediately after he has used itto unlock the switch, the switch continuing to remain closed until the detent device which includes the spiined mechanism just described is released by pressure of theop-erators finger upon the exposed endof the lock plug 25 which projects from the lock casing for that and 10. 1 When the detent mechanism is released by axial movement ofthe parts to the right as viewedin Figs. 2 and 10 spring 60 is then free to act and will rotate the plug and related partsto theposition in which they are illustrated in Figs. 3, 4;, 5, and 6.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that while the withdrawal of the key releases the lock mechanism which restrains the plug mains in the lock, there nevertheless remains an additional detent which requires manual release to permit the parts'to move toward switch opening positionin which position they are automatically relocked.

* Having now described the lock mechanism, 1 shall describe the switch "actuated and controlled thereby; I

rotation toward 7 i iblwz't chmechaniem Upon the interior surface of the bottom 54 of cup member53 is a di-eleotric annulus of fibre, bakelite, or the" like, provided at 711 with a boss in which is a conducting bearing pin 7 2 for a resilient moving contact constructed in the form-of a spring havingone end portion 76 inabutment with a fixed stop.

The fixed contact 77 colnp'rises-a' strip con- 7. ducto-r bent'to-pres'ent its end to the moving contact7 5 and anchored'by the'head of a'terininal rivet 7 8 which is tapped to receive terminal screw 7 9' by which conductor- 80 is secured to the terminal. Suitable sheets of insulation material are interposed at81 and 82 between the parts of the terminal and the metal sheel l7 onthe outside, and cup '53 on the insideL-f The end 76 of the moving contact springs seats against the di-electric sheet 82, as shown in Figg5/V t The free end of the moving contact 75 normally abut's'a' stop lug 85 which projects axially from'the lockcasing. When the look plug is rotated to the'position in which it is shown inFigures 8 and 9 theconcentric .por-

tion 86., of the switch actuator 66 strikes the spring Contact 7 ,5 and moves it from engageinent with .lug 85,'upon which it is normallyv grounded, [into engagement with the s end of .the fixed terminal contact 77 to close the igni tion circuit b'etween conductor 723 ductor 80; v r

Conductor 80 may be exposed since so long as the lock and switch mechanism herein disclosed remains intact nothing done tocon ductor 80 will make the ignition circuitop'er'ative, particularly in view of'the grounding of contact 7 5 within the switch. It is essential,

however, that the conductor between'pin 7 2 f and the distributor be protected and to "this end the following arrangements are made.

Protection. forswz'tch control circuit f I Fitted into shell 17 immediately adjacent the switch mechanism above described, is a di-electricpartition which seats against the outer margin ofcup GS'. A sleeve 88 inter I posed between this partition and the cont-act spring 5 serves to position such springaxially' of the pin 72. 1 Pin 72 projects through partition 87 and there receives connection with the conductor. 89 which requires protection and leads to the distributor, a standard 7 form of which is shown generally at 90'.

The conductor 89 comprises an insulated which the sheath iswound are hardened piano wire or the like, butforvthe further reason that the opposite pitch of the component sheath elements makesit very diflicult to, find- 'a good point of engagement upon either one 3;

wire and in order toprotect itl wind about it two helical'sheaths 90 and 91 ofopposite pitch, It is verydifficult to cut sucha com- 7 ,pound sheath not only because the wires of the cup 53 and is provided with a notch of less radius than opening 92 so that the margin of the cup-shaped member about such notch will enter between two concentric turns of the outer helix 91 of the sheath thereby holding such sheath to the shell. The ex tremity 94 of thehelix is formed to project laterally, as shown in Figure 2, and is received into an opening95 in the cup member 93 whereby the helix is secured against rotation and cannot be unscrewed from the binding engagementof cup 93 therewith. Thereupon, the upper peripheral margin 96 of the shell is spun or otherwise upset over cup 93 to hold the same permanently in place thereby fixing the assembly of the lock switch mechanism.

- The other end of the conductor passes through an anchorage tube 97 to the, distributor 90. This tube is formed with a headpiece 98 having an apertured ear 99 adapted to receive one of the cap screws 100 of the engine with which the device is used. The head-piece has a bore at 101 which is provided at 102 with a slot opening into the bore in the nature of a keyway. The end of the sheath is received into the bore and the extremity of the outer helix 103 is formed to project laterally into the slot 102. When the sheath has been thus assembled to the headpiece 98 and before the head-piece is screwed to the engine block, a pin 105 is driven into the head-piece from the face thereof which is intended for abutment with the engine block to intersect slot 102 and thereby to con-- fine the projecting extremity 103 of the sheath and to anchor the sheath in place. It will be observed from Figure '12 that the aperture into which this pin is driven is not accessible from the exterior and hence it will be very difiicult' to remove thispin and to disassemble the parts.

Operation The parts being assembled, as disclosed above, prior to the insertion of key 28 in the lock, the ignition circuit will not alone be opened but the distributor will be grounded due to engagement of contact 75 with the conducting stop plug 85; The parts will be locked due to the fact that all of the several tumblers 26 will have been projected into channel 30 by their respective compression springs '27. It is, therefore, impossible to operate the switch until key 28 having the proper conformation of bit is inserted to retract the tumblers into registry with the lock plug, as shown in Figure 7.

The lock not merely controls but serves to operate the switch mechanism. When the key is inserted and the tumbler retracted, the key may be used as a handle for. the rotation of the lock plug in a counter-clockwise direction to the position shown in Figure 8, thereby adjusting the switch mechanism from the position illustrated in Figure 5 to a position in which contact will be efi'ected between spring 75 and the fixed terminal contact 77 to close the ignition circuit.

In this position of the parts, the dog 39 will be forced by spring 38 :into a position behind tumblers 26. Since the switch mechanism can be operated only through the lock mechanism, it now becomes impossible to adjust the parts in a clockwise direction to open the switch due to the inter-action of dog 39 and the several tumblers. In other words, the switch is lockedclosed and will remain so until the key is withdrawn to permit the tumblers, free of control by the key, to be projected radially into engagement with the wall of recess 46 at which point they will no longer interact with dog 39. At least as soon as the-withdrawal of the key, however,-a new form of interlocking is established to prevent the opening of the switch.

When the key is withdrawn, if not sooner, the axial component of the tension of spring 60 is exerted to adjust the lock plug in a directionsuch that the plug projects from the casing at the front of the device and its lug 55 enters notch 57 to elfect splined engagement between the plug and the relatively fixed partition wall 54, as above indicated, this arrangement is intended to make it possible to use the automatic switch opening and lockingrfeature while providing a suitable detent to prevent the automatic mechanism from operation upon the mere withdrawal of the key until such time as the operator of the vehicle may desire to s op the engine thereof. So far as the key controlled part of the lock is concerned, the parts now in position for opening the switch and locking it open automatically. The detent, however, restrains the automatic operation.

Itybeing assumed that the operator has withdrawn the key and replaced it in his pocket immediately following his use of the key to unlock and close the switch, the vehicle engine being in operation in the meantime the switch may now be permitted to open and to lock itself in open position by the simple expedient of pressing upon the projecting and exposed end of the lock plug 25 thereby freeing lug 55 from notch 57 and permitting the parts to rotateto the positions indicated in Figures 3, 4:, 5, and 6.

Since it is impossible to open a'switch embodying this invention until the key therefor has been wholly and completely withdrawn from the switch, it will be obvious that the invention satisfies the objects afore- 1 said and guards against forgetfulness on the part of the operator as well as attack by unauthorized persons. I v I ii: The-inventlon also guards agalnst careless or inadequate locklng of the switch. When a switch is manually opened to a position in which it automatically locks itself, it is i sometimes possible to open the'switch withable-the lock. to become operative.

out moving the parts sufiiciently far to en- In' this device, the purely mechanical, opening ofthe switch to locking position makes it impossible for the parts tobe brought to rest be- 7 fore the completion of the movement. The operator could not, if he wished, stopthe mechanism after the switch is open and before the lock becomes effective. The more withdrawal ofthe key releases the first detent mechanismand, in structures where the second' detent is not desired, permits the imita- V ti o-nuof the switch opening-lock operating movement. In any event the withdrawal of the key is a prerequisite to the initiation of suchmovement which as above'indicated may be controlled by a secondary detent device ifit'is desired to postpone suchfmo'vement to a time subsequent to the withdrawal of the combination with a switch actuator mov the key.

Iolaimz v- .1. Ina device'of the character described,

able", between a: switch. opening position and a switch closing position, ofa lock plugcon- .trolling the position of said actuator and adapted tozreceive a removable key, and means automatically acting to restrain saidiplug in the switch closing position of said actuator and including interacting members of which one is releasable solely upon withdrawal of the key. V V I r 2. In a device otthe character described, theicombination with amovable switch contact and an actuator for said contact of lock mechanism controlling said actuator and comprising a rotatable plug adapted to receive a a key, tumblers carried by said plug. and

adapted to be aligned in one position upon the w1thdrawal of said key and in another position upon the insertion of said key,jand

a lock'oasing cooperative with said tumblers and provided with means against which said tumblers abut in their first position and also in their second position, said tumblers being adapted to be 'freed from engagement with said meansby insertion of the key, in the case of one of said means, and by the withdrawal of the key in the'case of the other.

,. 3. In a device ofthe character described,

the combination with a switch, of lock mecha nism forthe' control and operation of said switchcomprising a rotatable lock plug car- 7 tying a switch'actuatona tumbler trans,

, verselyreciprocable with respect to said plug,

a keyinsertable into said plug and adapted tojretract said, tumbler into alignment there:

- lation of the key.

with, the plug' -being adaptedto rotate-between switch opening and switch closing positions, an actuating spring urging said tumbler in one direction transversely of said with respect to said plug, and a casing withplug zand"tending to disalign said tumbler 1 in which said plug is revoluble and which beingadapted to free saidtumbler for the rotationot said plug upon the withdrawalo1 the key in the other of said plug positions. 4. In a deviceiot the characteridescribed,

:the combination with a switch having anon and an ofi position, of a lock including'a ,plugrotatable to control and operate the switch, 'acasing within which said plug'is supported for oscillation, a tumbler controlling the movement of said plug, a key adapt- "g 7 ed to adjust said tumbler with respect'to said plug upon the insertion and withdrawal of the key, said casing beingiprovided with' I means for co-acting" with said tumblerboth in the off and the on position of said switch, and said key being formed for releasing said tumbler from said means in the oli position upon key insertion and in the on position by V keymovement rorremoval.v v

5. In a' device of the character described,

the combination withaswitch having an on and an off positioiijof'a lock including a plug rotatable to control and operate the switch," a casing within which said. plug is supported for oscillation, a tumbler i controlling the r V 10 movement of said. plug, a key adapted'toada just said tumbler with respect to said plug upon the insertion and'with'drawal of the key, said casing being provided with means for oo-acting with said tumbler both in the 1 ofi and the ontposition of said switch, from which means said tumbler is releasable by a change in the position of the key, and amanually releasable detent operative to restrain'rotation of said plug after the release of said positions by mani'putumbler in one of said 6. In .a-device of the character described, 1

the combination with a switch, of key controlled mechanism operableupon the insertion of a key for closing the switch, and

' adapted to lock-in the closed position thereof against movement towardthe open posi tion thereof, said. mechanism beingreleasable in the closed position ofv said switch upon withdrawal of the key, and means IOI'lI'QtIlIIling saidomechanism to the open position of the, switch and locking said mechanism in said lastmentioned position, togetheriwith a manually releasable nt restrainingsaid %ast mentioned means independently of said zey.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with a switch, of control ling and operating means therefor, including a lock comprising a plug, tumblers, and means cooperating with said'tumblers to lock said plug both in the open and the closed position of said switch, together with a key formed for interaction with said tumblers and adapted to actuate said tumblers to a position for release fromsaid means when the key is inserted in the open position of saidswitch, and adapted when withdrawn to release said tumblers from said means in the closed position of said switch.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with a switch, of controlling and operating means therefor, including a lock comprising a plug, tumblers, and means cooperating with said tumblers to lock said plug both in the open and the closed position of said switch, together with a key formed for interaction with said tumblers and adapted to actuate said tumblers to a position for release from said means when the key is inserted in the open position of said switch, and adapted when withdrawn to re lease said tumblers from said means in the closed position of said switch, and a spring acting upon said plug in a direction to return said plug to the position in which said switch is open.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with a switch, of controlling and operating means therefor, including a lock comprising a plug, tumblers, and means cooperating with said tumblers to lock said plug both in the open and the closed position of said switch, together with a key formed for interaction with said tumblers and adapted to actuate said tumblers to a position for release from said means when the key is inserted. in the open position of said switch, and adapted when withdrawn to release said tumblers from said means in the closed position of said switch, and a spring acting upon said plug in a direction to restrain said plug to the position in which said switch is open, said tumblers being adapted automatically to coact with said means upon reaching said positions.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination with a switch, of controlling and operating means therefor, including a lock comprising a plug, tumblers, and means cooperating with said tumblers to lock said plug both in the open and the closed position of said switch, together with a key formed for interaction with said tumblers and adapted to actuate said tumblers to a position for release from said means when the key is inserted in the open position of said switch, and adapted when withdrawn to release said tumblers from said means in the closed position of said switch, and a spring acting upon said plug in a direction to return said plug to the position in which said switch is open, said tumblers being adapted to co-act with said means upon reaching said positions, and amanually releasable detent device adapted to restrain said plug against rotation by said spring following the release of said tumblers from said means on withdrawal of said key.

11. In combination, a. lock including a member movable when unlocked and a keyreleasable self-acting tumbler adapted in one position of said member automatically to lock it in such position, a switch including a fixed contact and a movable contact controlled by said member and spaced from the fixed contact in said position of said member, a spring urging said member toward said position, and manually releasable detent means adapted to restrain said member and moving contact against spring actuated movement toward said position following withdrawal of said key pending separate manual release.

12. In combination, a lock including a member movable when unlocked and key-releasable self-acting tumblers adapted in one position of said member automatically to lock it in such position, a switch including a fixed contact and a movable contact controlled by said member and spaced from the fixed contact in said position of said member, a spring urging said member toward said position, and manually releasable detent means adapted to restrain said member and moving contact against spring actuated movement toward said position following withdrawal of said key pending separate manual release, said movement being beyond the control of the operator when initiated by manipulation of the detent.

13. In combination, a lock including a member movable when unlocked and key-releasable self-acting tumblers adapted in one position of said member automatically to lock it in such position, a switch including a fixed contact and a movable contact controlled by said member and spaced from the fixed contact in said position of said member, a spring urging said member toward said position, and manually releasable detent means operable without said key and adapted to restrain said member and moving contact against spring actuated movement toward said position, said movement being beyond the control of the operator when initiated by manipulation of the detent, and means whereby the withdrawal of the key is a pre-requisite to such movement.

14. The combination with a plug and a reciprocable locking tumbler, of a switch controlled thereby, a key for adjusting said tumbler, a stop co-acting with said tumbler in one position thereof to restrain the movement of said switch from a first position, and means co-acting with said tumbler in another Cit position thereof with respect to said plugto second position.

15. In a device of the character described, the combination with a switch having a movable contact adjustable between open and closed switch positions, of a lock plug pr0-' vided with connections for'the actuation of said contact and movable between positions invariably corresponding to the open and closed positions of said contact, and key controlled means for locking said plug in each of said positions and adapted. to release said plug from the posit-ion in which said switch isclosed solely upon withdrawalof the key.

EMIL SINNEIR.

restrain the movement of said switch from a I 

